Pre-assembled pipe coupling with manually manipulatable segments

ABSTRACT

A pre-assembled pipe coupling includes a gasket, a housing surrounding the gasket, and a fastener. The housing has three segments sequentially coupled to each other to define an insertion boundary. A first segment includes a first mount extending lateral in a first direction from the wall and having a plurality of first lateral walls that define a first aperture, and a second mount extending laterally in a second direction from the wall, the second mount having a plurality of second lateral walls that define a second aperture. A second segment includes a first hook disposed in the first aperture and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture. A third segment includes a second hook disposed in the second aperture and a second tab defining a second fastener aperture. The fastener is disposed through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/616,145, filed Nov. 22, 2019, which is a national stageapplication of International Application No. PCT/US2018/034915, filedMay 29, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/512,452, titled “Pre-Assembled PipeCoupling with Manually Manipulatable Segments,” filed May 30, 2017, thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Pipe couplings can be used to secure multiple pipe ends to one another.Pipe couplings can include seals, such as gaskets, to prevent fluid fromleaking out of the pipes at the pipe coupling.

SUMMARY

One implementation of the present disclosure is a pre-assembled pipecoupling for insertion of pipe ends. The pre-assembled pipe couplingincludes a gasket for forming a seal about a pipe joint, a housingsurrounding the gasket, and a fastener. The gasket includes an annularbase disposed about a gasket axis, a central flange extending from theannular base toward the gasket axis, the flange being disposed about acentral plane perpendicular the gasket axis, a first side flange spacedfrom the central flange and extending from the annular base toward thegasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip, a secondside flange spaced from the central flange opposite the first sideflange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, thesecond side flange having a second sealing lip. The housing has threesegments, the three segments being sequentially coupled to each other todefine an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall with anexterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface beingdisposed symmetrically about a medial plane, the wall having a medialportion, a first lateral portion connected to the medial portion, and asecond lateral portion connected to the medial portion, the secondlateral portion being spaced from the first lateral portion along thecoupling axis so that the interior surface defines a cavity, the firstand second lateral portions having pipe engagement members. A firstsegment of the three segments including a first mount extending lateralin a first direction from the wall, the first mount having a pluralityof first lateral walls that define a first perimeter of a firstaperture, and a second mount extending laterally in a second directionfrom the wall, the second mount having a plurality of second lateralwalls that define a second perimeter of a second aperture. A secondsegment of the three segments including a first hook disposed in thefirst aperture and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture. Athird segment of the three segments including a second hook disposed inthe second aperture and a second tab defining a second fasteneraperture. The fastener is disposed through the first fastener apertureand the second fastener aperture.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a pre-assembled pipecoupling for insertion of pipe ends. The pre-assembled pipe couplingincludes a gasket for forming a seal about a pipe joint, and a housingsurrounding the gasket. The gasket includes an annular base disposedabout a gasket axis, a central flange extending from the annular basetoward the gasket axis, the flange being disposed about a central planeperpendicular the gasket axis, a first side flange spaced from thecentral flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasketaxis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip, a second sideflange spaced from the central flange opposite the first side flange andextending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second sideflange having a second sealing lip. The housing includes a plurality ofsegments, the plurality of segments being sequentially attached to eachother and manually manipulated to define an insertion boundary, eachsegment having a wall with an exterior surface and interior surface, theinterior surface being disposed symmetrically about a medial plane, thewall having a medial portion, a first lateral portion connected to themedial portion, and a second lateral portion connected to the medialportion, the second lateral portion being spaced from the first lateralportion along the coupling axis so that the interior surface defines acavity, the first and second lateral portions having pipe engagementmembers. At least one segment includes a first mount and a second mount,the first mount extending lateral in a first direction from the wall,the first mount having a plurality of first lateral walls that define afirst perimeter of a first aperture. The second mount extends laterallyin a second direction from the wall, the second mount having a pluralityof second lateral walls that define a second perimeter of a secondaperture, the second perimeter and the first perimeter being located ona common plane.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of joininga pair of pipe ends in an axial arrangement with a pre-assembledcoupling. The pre-assembled pipe coupling includes a housing surroundinga coupling axis and an annular gasket having a gasket axis containedwithin the housing such that the gasket axis is aligned parallel withthe coupling axis, the gasket having an annular base with a centralflange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis with apair of side flanges spaced oppositely about the central flange, eachside flange having a sealing lip for receiving one of the pipe ends, thehousing having a having a plurality of segments and a plurality ofattachment mechanisms, each segment having a first terminal end a secondterminal end in an interconnected relationship in which the terminal endof one segment is attached to a terminal end of another segment by oneof the plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a pair oflateral portions axially spaced apart with each lateral portion having apipe engagement member. The method includes manually manipulating theplurality of interconnected segments to define an insertion boundary oneach side of the housing that surrounds the coupling axis; axiallyinserting one of the pipe ends through the insertion boundary on eachside of the housing; gripping the pipe ends with the sealing lips; andadjusting one of the attachment mechanisms so that the pipe engagementmembers engage the pipe ends and the sealing lips form a fluid tightseal about the pipe ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and together, with the general description givenabove and the detailed description given below, serve to explain thefeatures of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pre-assembled pipecoupling.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the pre-assembled pipe coupling of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a detailed view of a terminal end of a housing segment foruse in the pre-assembled pipe coupling of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 depicts a configuration (an open configuration achieved by manualmanipulation of the housing segments) of the pre-assembled pipe couplingfor receipt of a pipe end.

FIG. 4 depicts a configuration (a closed configuration) of thepre-assembled pipe coupling for forming a fluid tight seal about a pairof pipe ends.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective partial cross-sectional view of aninterlock for use in the pre-assembled pipe coupling of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the interlock of FIG. 5 inan open configuration.

FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the interlock of FIG. 5 ina closed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a segment for use in thepre-assembled coupling of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a gasket for use in thepre-assembled coupling of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 10-15 are partial cross-section views of a pipe joint formationusing the pre-assembled coupling of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to pipe couplings and inparticular pipe couplings with an outer housing and internal gasket thatare pre-assembled before axially receiving two pipe ends to be joined inan axial alignment.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a pipe coupling 10 (e.g., a pre-assembled pipecoupling) that can join two pipe ends in an axial alignment. Asunderstood the pipe ends can be of any fluid carrying structure, such asfor example, the end of a pipe, a pipe fitting, valve, or a fireprotection sprinkler. The pre-assembled coupling includes a housing andgasket 200 disposed within the housing so that the housing and thegasket surround a coupling axis A-A. The housing has a plurality ofcoupling segments 12 a, 12 b, 12 c. Each segment has two terminal ends,each of which in the pre-assembled coupling is attached to anotherterminal end of another segment via an attachment mechanism. Theplurality of segments are attached or connected together in a sequentialarrangement about the gasket 200. The sequential arrangement is manuallymanipulated to define an insertion boundary 11 on each side of thehousing that surrounds the coupling axis A-A and through which a pipeend can be axially inserted. The insertion boundary 11 defines an areabound by the sequentially connected segments. The insertion boundary 11is defined by the portion of each segment that surrounds a centrallocation within the area. The distance between the central location ofthe area and each portion of a respective segment is at least half theouter diameter of the pipe end to be inserted into the insertionboundary 11 and at its maximum is sufficient to contain the gasket 200within the housing. Due to the manually manipulated distancerelationship between each segment and the central location of the area,the insertion boundary has minimum spans that are greater than thediameter of the pipe to be inserted into the pre-assembled coupling anda maximum span that is less than the outer diameter of the gasket 200.The insertion boundary 11 can have various configurations due to therelative orientations of the segments and the attachment mechanisms toone another. Regardless of the selected orientation of the segments andthe attachment mechanisms, and/or the number of segments and attachmentmechanisms, the spans of the insertion boundary can have sufficient sizeto allow the pre-assembled coupling 10 to axially receive a pipe end.The plurality of coupling segments 12 a, 12 b, 12 c can be made frommore rigid material than existing systems, as the coupling segments 12a, 12 b, 12 c are not required to be deformable to allow effectiveinstallation of the pipe coupling 10.

The sequential arrangement of the segments of the plurality of segmentsprovides for the pre-assembled coupling 10. A pre-assembled coupling canbe a coupling in which all of the coupling segments are attachedtogether to be manually manipulated into a spaced apart arrangement tosurround and locate the gasket of the coupling 10 in a manner asdescribed herein for axial insertion of pipe ends through the insertionboundary 11, into the housing, and into the gasket 200. The housing caninclude three segments. Any number of segments can be utilized with theappropriate attachment mechanisms so long as the segments are attachedtogether in an interconnected arrangement about the gasket which can bemanually manipulated to provide a pre-assembled coupling arrangement.

The pre-assembled coupling 10 utilizes at least two attachmentmechanisms to attach the plurality of segments together. As depicted inFIG. 1 , one of the attachment mechanisms is a clenchable fastener, suchas a threaded bolt and a nut; any suitable clenchable fastener can beutilized, such as for example a toggle, and the other of the attachmentmechanisms is an interlock. The three segments can be attached togetherutilizing two interlocks and a single clenchable fastener. Theinterlocks and clenchable fastener can allow the segments of the housingto be held together in an interconnected relationship which can bemanually manipulated and spaced apart to receive the pipe ends andthereafter be tightened about the pipe ends with the single clenchablefastener to form a fluid tight relationship. Further facilitating a pipejoint formation via the pre-assembled coupling 10 is a gasket 200described herein that is held and contained within the pre-assembledcoupling 10. The gasket 200 can be an annular member having an internaland external geometry that facilitates receipt, insertion, gription andfluid tight sealing of the pipe ends. The internal geometry of thegasket 200 engages the outer surface of the pipe ends to allow the pipeto be inserted and then form a fluid tight seal. The external geometryof the gasket 200 engages the internal surfaces of the housing to centerthe gasket within the housing and properly locate the gasket 200 aboutthe interface between the pipe ends to form an effective fluid tightseal. The gasket 200 can allow pipe ends 5 a, 5 b to be inserted intopre-assembled coupling 10 without gasket 200 falling out ofpre-assembled coupling 10, such as due to the geometry of gasket 200allowing for gap 22 shown in FIG. 3 .

FIGS. 2-4 depict a plan view of the coupling 10 with the housingsurrounding the gasket 200, the gasket 200 depicted as being annular, inwhich each of the housing and the gasket 200 circumscribe the couplingaxis A-A. The housing includes three segments 12 a, 12 b, 12 csequentially attached to each other that can be manually spaced apart(e.g., using manually manipulatable segments 25) to define the insertionboundary 11 about the coupling axis A-A. With the insertion boundary 11defined by the manual manipulation of the segments of the housing, thegasket 200 can be contained within the housing in a manner that allowsthe gasket to move within the housing. Each segment 12 a, 12 b, 12 cgenerally is an arcuate member with a wall 13 having an exterior surface13 a and an interior surface 13 b. As depicted in FIGS. 2-4 , the threesegments can include two identical clamp segments 12 a, 12 b and abridge segment 12 c extending between the two identical clamp segments12 a, 12 b.

As seen in the cross-sectional view of the bridge segment 12 c shown inFIG. 8 , the interior surface 13 b can be symmetrical about a medialplane MP which is disposed perpendicular to the gasket axis A-A. Thewall 13 has a medial portion 15 a, a first lateral portion 15 b, and asecond lateral portion 15 c with the medial portion 15 a extendingbetween the first and second lateral portions 15 b, 15 c. Accordingly,the second lateral portion 15 c is spaced apart from the first lateralportion 15 b along the coupling axis A-A so that the interior surface 13b defines a cavity 19 for containing the gasket 200. Each of the firstand second lateral portions 15 b, 15 c can extend between the terminalends of the segment and can include a pipe engagement member 17 forengaging the outer surface of the pipe ends, such as to engage groovesformed at the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b. The pipe engagement members 17 preventor restrict the axial movement of the pipes by engaging the grooves ofthe pipe ends 5 a, 5 b. The pipe engagement members 17 can be utilizedwith other pipe configurations, such as for example, pipes with ashoulder. The pipe engagement members 17 can be configured to bite intoa plain end pipe. The pipe engagement members 17 can be curved, as seenfor example in FIG. 2 , to engage the outer pipe surface. The pipeengagement members 17 can include one or more projections which extendin the axial direction to grip a surface forming the pipe groove.

With reference to FIG. 3 , a hook 14 is depicted that can be integrallyformed with each of the twin clamp segments 12 a, 12 b. The hook 14 isformed at one terminal end of the clamp segment and a fastener tab 16 atthe opposite terminal end of the segment. The cavity 19 a can traversean arc of about 135° about a central axis of curvature of the clampsegment that extends parallel to the coupling axis A-A. The bridgesegment 12 c can be symmetrical about a bisecting plane BP with twinmounts 18 identically formed at opposite terminal ends of the segmentdisposed symmetrically about the bisecting plane BP and laterally of thewall 13 of the bridge segment 12 c. Each of the mounts 18 can defineopening or aperture 22 through which the hook 14 of the clamp segments12 a, 12 b extend. The bridge segment 12 c can be formed such that thecavity 19 c traverses an arc of about 90° about a central axis ofcurvature of the bridge segment that extends parallel to the couplingaxis A-A. While the segments are depicted using a cavity that traversearcs of about 135° and about 90° respectively about a center ofcurvature, any combination of suitable constant arcs could be utilizedso long as the coupling segments can be attached with an appropriateattachment mechanism to allow for manual manipulation of the couplingsegments and provide the pre-assembled coupling.

A fastener 20 can join the clamp segments 12 a, 12 b to one another. Thefastener 20 can be clenchable. The fastener 20 can be disposeddiametrically from the bridge segment 12 c in the through holes orapertures formed in the respective fastener tabs 16 of the twin clampsegments 12 a, 12 b. Due to the manual manipulation of the twin clampsegments in opposite directions, the head of the bolt presents a firstsecurement portion 20 a in contact with one fastener tab 16 and the nutpresents a second securement portion 20 b of the fastener 20 in contactwith the other fastener tab 16 to define the required spacing betweenthe two clamp segments 12 a, 12 b for formation of the insertionboundary 11. In FIG. 3 , the nut 20 b is shown at a thread location onthe fastener 20 proximate the tip or leading end of the fastener, whichdefines the desired manual manipulation location for the twin clampsegments 12 a, 12 b. The nut can maintain a position on the threadedfastener. A sealant or adhesive material can be applied to the nut 20 bto secure the nut 20 b to the fastener 20, and to prevent unintendedloosening between the threaded components due to shock or vibration. Amechanical fastener, such as for example a fixed pin or washer (notshown), can be positioned at the leading end of the fastener 20 tosecure the nut 20 b in location to define the desired manualmanipulation location for the twin clamp segments 12 a, 12 b, and toprevent the unintended separation of the nut 20 b from the fastener 20.The through holes of the fastener tabs 16 can be unthreaded andnon-circular, and can be oval in shape. To prevent the bolt from freelyspinning within the through hole, the bolt can include a complimentaryoval shaped shanked portion to seat within the through hole of thefastener tab 16. With the bolt prevented from freely spinning within thethrough holes, the fastener 20 can be tightened and more specifically,the nut 20 b can be tightened about the bolt to bring the fastener tabs16 in a confronting relation to provide sufficient sealing of the gasket200 about the pipe ends.

FIG. 4 depicts the fastener 20 with the nut 20 b adjusted to becompletely threaded onto the bolt such that the nut 20 b and head 20 atightly bring the fastener tabs 16 of the clamp segments 12 a, 12 b inthe confronting relationship. The fastener tabs 16 include complementarytongue 16 a and recess 16 b which engage one another to facilitatealignment between the fastener tabs 16. On each fastening tab 16, thetongue 16 a and the recess 16 b can be located side by side with thetongue 16 a located generally on an opposite side of a medial planebisecting the fastener tab 16 from the recess 16 b. When the fastenertabs 16 oppose one another with the fastener 20 fully tightened, thetongue 16 a is received in the recess 16 b. Each recess 16 b can beslightly larger than the tongue 16 a to receive the tongue 16 a of theopposed clamp segment and form a tongue-and-recess interfit when thefastening tabs are brought together in their full confrontingrelationship by the fastener tab 16. It is understood that the shape ofthe tongue 16 a and the shape of the recess 16 b can be any shape suchthat the tongue 16 a fits within the recess 16 b. The tongue 16 a caninclude an external surface that mates or confront an internal recess 16b in which the surfaces are angled or skewed with respect to an axisdisposed normal to the mating face of the fastener tab 16 as depicted,for example, in FIG. 2A. The complementary angled surfaces facilitateengagement and disengagement of the fastener tabs upon correspondingtightening and loosening of the fastener 20. The angled surfaces canfacilitate interaction between the twin clamp segments 12 a, 12 b withnon-interference for use with the single clenchable fastener 20.

In the assembly 10, each hook 14 is mounted within one of the twoapertures 22 or mounting holes preferably identically formed at theopposite ends of the bridge segment 12 c. Shown in FIGS. 5-7 aredetailed views showing the interaction between a mount 18 of the bridgesegment and a hook 14 of the clamp segment to form the attachmentmechanism of interlock 25. The interlock 25 facilitates the manualmanipulation of the twin clamp segments 12 a, 12 b. The interlock 25 caneliminate the need for one or more additional fasteners (in addition tofastener 20), reducing the complexity of installation while maintainingor increasing the security provided by coupling 10. The hook 14 of eachclamp segment 12 a, 12 b can include a base 30 and a catch 32 in whichthe base 30 preferably tapers narrowly in a direction toward the catch32. Relative to the internal bend of the hook 14, the base 30 can havean inner surface 30 a and an outer surface 30 b that converge toward oneanother in the direction toward and contiguous with the catch 32. Theouter surface 30 b of the base 30 can have a curved portion or profilecontiguous with the catch 32 to facilitate insertion of the hook 14through the aperture 22 to form the interlock 25. In the interactionbetween the hook 14 and the mount 18, each of the inner and outersurfaces 30 a, 30 b can extend between the wall 13 of the bridge 12 cand the mount 18. In the bridge segment 12 c, each mount 18 can bedisposed laterally of the wall 13 with a pair of laterally extendingspaced apart sidewalls 34 formed between the mount 18 and the wall 13 todefine the aperture 22. Accordingly, each of the wall 13, mount 18 andsidewalls 34 can provide internal and external surfaces with respect tothe aperture 22. For example, the laterally disposed mount 18 has aninternal wall 36 and an external wall 38 with an upper floor surface 40a and a lower floor surface 40 b extending between the internal andexternal walls 36, 38. For the mounts 18, which can be identical,respective upper floor surfaces 40 a and thus the boundary of eachaperture 22 can be substantially coplanar with one another in a plane Pdisposed perpendicular to the bisecting plane and parallel to thecoupling axis A-A. While the boundary of the apertures 22 is depicted tobe coplanar in the plane P, each aperture boundary can be disposed inseparate parallel and offset planes each of which is perpendicular tothe bisecting plane and parallel to the coupling axis A-A. Thecorresponding apertures 22 and their perimeters can be coplanar withinthe same plane P. The catch 32 can be wedge shaped and can tapernarrowly in a direction away from the base 30. The catch 32 can have aplanar upper surface 32 a with a planar lower retention surface 32 b toconfront the upper floor 40 a of the mount 18 in the various interlockformations as described herein. The hook 14 can be formed with a radiusportion or transition between the inner surface 30 a of the base 30 andthe retention surface 32 b of the catch 30.

The internal wall 36 of the mount 18 of the bridge segment 12 c, alongwith the surfaces of the sidewalls 34 and the end of the wall 13, candefine the overall geometry of the aperture 22 and the interactionbetween the hook 14 and the mount 18. As depicted in FIG. 6 , theaperture 22 can have depth defined by the axial spacing between theupper and lower floors 40 a, 40 b along a central axis B-B of theaperture 22. Additionally, the aperture 22 can define a variable lengthdefined by the lateral spacing between the internal end surface of thewall 13 and the internal wall 36 of the mount 18 about the axis B-B.Each of the end surface of the wall 13 and internal wall 36 definevarying profiles with respect to the axis B-B. For example, the internalwall 36 has a first surface 36 a angled with respect axis B-B and asecond surface 36 b angled with respect to the first surface 36 a todefine an edge 36 c located at the intersection of the first and secondsurfaces 36 a, 36 b. The first and second surfaces 36 a, 36 b can beangled such that the upper floor 40 a has a greater length in thelateral direction than the lower floor 40 b. The upper floor 40 a andits spacing from the end surface of the wall 13 cinctures the aperture22. Accordingly, the aperture 22 can include a generally taperingopening facing the hook 14 upon insertion in the axial direction fromthe lower floor surface 40 b to the upper surface 40 a.

The attachment mechanisms and relative spacing between the segments canallow for the segments to be manually manipulated to define variousstates of the coupling assembly 10 and: (i) establish the insertionboundary 11 for axial pipe insertion and (ii) engage the outer pipesurface and compress the gasket 200 about the inserted pipe to form thefluid tight seal about the pipe ends. To attach a clamp segment 12 a, 12b to the bridge segment 12 c, the hook 14 can be inserted into theaperture 22 proximate the lower floor 40 b of the mount 18. The curvedouter surface 30 b of the base 30 can facilitate insertion of the hook14 through the aperture 22 to form the interlock 25. The catch 14 can bebrought through the aperture 22 proximate the upper floor 40 a of themount 40 such that the retention surface 32 b confronts the upper floor40 a with a gap therebetween. In a first open configuration of theinterlock 25 in which the clamp segments 12 a, 12 b have been manuallymanipulated to their required position for defining the insertionboundary 11, the retention surface 32 b forms a line contact with theinner edge of the upper floor 40 a, as depicted for example, in FIG. 6 .Moreover, the inner surface 30 a of the base 30 forms a line contactwith the intersection 36 c of surfaces 36 a, 36 b on the internal wall36 of the mount 18. In a closed configuration of the interlock 25 asdepicted, for example in FIG. 7 , the hook 14 can be pivoted about theintersection 36 c to increase the confrontation between the retentionsurface 32 b and the upper floor 40 a such that the gap between theretention surface 32 b and the floor 40 a is reduced and in someinstances can include surface contact between the retention surface 32 band the floor 40 a. In the closed configuration, the inner surface 30 aof the base 30 is brought into surface contact with the first surface 36a of the internal wall 36 of the mount 18. Accordingly, the intersection36 c can form a fulcrum on which the hook 14 pivots. Surfaces of thehook 14 and the mount 18 can be reversed or have a combination ofsurface such that the inner surface 30 a of the hook base 30 defines afulcrum on which the mount internal wall 36 pivots to form the closedconfiguration of the interlock 25. The pre-assembled coupling 10 canprovide the interlock 25 with an internal pivot.

With reference to the perspective view of the interlock 25 shown in FIG.5 , the hook 14 and mount 18 each define a width in the direction of thecoupling axis A-A. To further facilitate the interlock formation and theconfrontation between the catch 32 and the upper floor 40 a, the floor40 a includes a pair of guides 42 a, 42 b disposed on the floor 40 aabout the width of the mount 18 at the greatest lateral extent of thefloor 40 a. Each of the guides 42 a, 42 b can extend from the upperfloor 40 a to the top or upper surface of the sidewalls 34 or anywherein between. In the closed configuration of the interlock 25, the guides42 a, 42 b confront the sides of the catch 32 to restrict lateralmovement between the hook 14 and the mount 18 and/or can center thecatch 32 over the floor 40 a. Accordingly, the spaced apart guides 42 a,42 b in conjunction with the floor 40 a can define a recess for receiptof the hook 14 and the catch 32.

With reference to the cross-sectional view of the gasket 200 depicted inFIG. 9 , the gasket 200 includes an annular base 202 disposed about agasket axis C-C which extends parallel to the coupling axis A-A in theassembly 10. A central flange 204 can be an elongate member that extendsfrom the annular base toward the gasket axis C-C and is generallydisposed in or about a central plane perpendicular the gasket axis andparallel to the medial plane MP. Symmetrically formed and spacedoppositely about the central flange 204 are a pair of side flanges 206a, 206 b. Each side flange 206 a, 206 b includes a sealing lip 208 a,208 b for gripping and/or forming a fluid tight seal with the outersurface of an inserted pipe end. As is described in greater detailbelow, as the pipe end is inserted axially into the gasket 200, the pipeend contacts a side flange 206 a causing it to fold or collapse with thesealing lip forming the fluid tight seal about the pipe surface. Theinternal surfaces of the gasket 200 can include a flex point 210 a, 210b formed between the central flange 204 and side flanges 206 a, 206 b tofacilitate collapse of the flanges upon pipe insertion. Morespecifically, each of the first and second side flanges 206 a, 206 b canhave an inner surface 212 a, 212 b contiguous with the central flange204 which defines the flex points 210 a, 210 b. The inner surfaces 212a, 212 b between the flex points and the central flange 204 can define apositive-slope transition portion between the sealing lips 208 a, 208 band the central flange 204 which allows the side flanges 206 a, 206 b tofold in a desired manner.

The gasket 200 also includes structures that facilitate its contact withthe interior surface of the housing. Each of the side flanges 206 a, 206b can include a buttress 214 a, 214 b which extends axially in thedirection of the gasket axis C-C toward the housing interior wall orsurface 13 b. Each buttress 214 a, 214 b extends axially from the sideflanges 206 a, 206 b and has a tapering configuration to a terminalpreferably radiused end. The buttresses 214 a, 214 b act against theinterior surface 13 b of the housing segments 12 to resist axial gasketdisplacement and facilitate gasket expansion within the housing uponinsertion of the pipe end. Each of the first and second side flanges 206a, 206 b can have an outer surface 212 c, 212 d that includes a heel 213a, 213 b, which assists in guiding axial insertion of the pipe end,maintains contact between the pipe end and the sealing lip 208 a, 208 b,and also acts against the interior surface 13 b of the housing to centerthe gasket 200 within the housing. The heels 213 a, 213 b are theoutermost edge of the sealing lips 208 a, 208 b axially spaced from thecentral flange 204 to define the entrance perimeter through which a pipeend is inserted into the gasket 200. Each of the heels 213 a, 213 b havea profile defined by portions of the outer surfaces 212 c, 212 d thatare disposed at right angles; however, an acute angle can be utilized.In the fluid tight sealed configuration of the coupling 10 describedherein, the heel 213 a, 213 b lies against the pipe end outer surfaceand can present an abutment to the interior surface 13 b of the housingto keep the gasket 200 centered within the housing.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 6 , the fastener 20 is shown with the nut20 b threaded on the leading end of the bolt such that the clampsegments 12 a, 12 b are attached and manually spaced apart or opened tothe maximum extent. Even with the segments at their maximized spacing,the gasket 200 remains contained within one or more cavities 19 of thehousing thereby preventing unintended separation of the gasket 200 fromthe housing prior to pipe end insertion. Moreover, at the fully openconfiguration of the housing, the gasket 200 is free to move within thecontainment volume of the housing. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, under the force of gravity the gasket 200 can come to rest in contactwith the interior of the housing proximate the fastening tabs 16 a, 16 bof the two clamp segments 12 a, 12 b of the housing. Depending upon theorientation of the housing, the gasket 200 can come to rest anywherewithin any one or more of the cavities 19 a and 19 b of the clampsegments. Regardless of the orientation of the housing, the cavity 19 cand the gasket 200 can define chamber 216. Accordingly in the openconfiguration of the coupling 10 with the twin clamp segments 12 a, 12 bmanually manipulated to their maximum spaced orientation about thefastener and the exterior of the gasket in partial contact with theinterior of the housing, the remainder of the outer annular surface ofthe gasket 200 is radially spaced from the interior surface 13 b of thehousing to define a chamber therebetween. With the gasket 200 containedwithin the housing, the sealing lips 208 a, 208 b and in particulartheir heels 213 a, 213 b can be within the insertion boundary 11 forreceipt of a pipe end.

The gasket 200 can be located and contained within the housing with atleast one coupling segment suspended about the gasket 200. In the openconfiguration in which the clamp segments 12 a, 12 b locate and containthe gasket member within the insertion boundary 11, the bridge segment12 c can be suspended about the gasket 200 with its interior surface 13spaced from the external annular surface of the gasket 200 and thecavity 19 unfilled therebetween. FIGS. 10-15 illustrate the assembly ofa pipe joint using the pre-assembled coupling assembly 10. Shown in FIG.10 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the coupling 10 taken at thebisecting plane through the bridge segment 12 c suspended above thegasket 200 and with the manually manipulated clamp segments 12 a, 12 b(not shown); two pipe ends 5 a, 5 b are positioned for axial insertioninto the insertion boundary 11. The gasket 200 be supported on at leastone of the two clamp segments 12 a, 12 b (not shown) in a manner aspreviously described with its sealing lips 208 a, 208 b positionedwithin the insertion boundary 11 for receipt of the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b.FIG. 11 shows a first pipe end 5 b inserted into the coupling 10. Thepipe end 5 b impacts the side flange 206 b causing it to deflect inwardtoward the central flange 204. The pipe insertion causes the gasket 200to shift sideways such that the buttress 214 a, opposite the deflectedside flange 206 b, impacts the interior surface 13 b of the lateralportion 15 b of the segment 12 c. The interaction between the buttress214 a and the interior surface 13 b ensures the gasket 200 is retainedwithin the housing, and facilitates centering of the gasket within thehousing. Moreover the pipe insertion causes the gasket 200 to expandsuch that the outer peripheral surface of the gasket is expanded, suchthat it moves closer to the interior surface 13 b of the medial portionthereby reducing the size of chamber 216. Due to the interaction of thesealing lips 208 b gripping the outer surface of the pipe and therelative size of the outside diameter of the pipe 5 b and the sealinglip 208 b, the gription of the sealing lip 208 b grabs pipe 5 b. Thegription of the sealing lip 208 b can be sufficient to retain thepre-assembled coupling in position on the pipe 5 b when the pipe 5 b isdisposed at various angular orientations relative to a horizontal planeand the pipe axis. Accordingly, the sealing lips 208 a, 208 b can havean interference fit with the pipes 5 a. In FIG. 12 , the second pipe end5 a has been inserted, the gasket 200 recenters and further expandswithin the chamber 216 and bringing the opposite buttress 214 b intocontact with the interior surface 13 b of the adjacent lateral portion15 c. With the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b fully inserted, the central flange 204extends between the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b, and the sealing lips 208 a, 208b grip the outer surface of the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b as seen for examplein FIG. 13 . Shown in FIG. 14 is the coupling 10 being tightened aboutthe pipe ends with the pipe engagement members 17 being brought intoengagement with the pipe grooves. The gasket 200 is further compressedwithin the chamber 216 such that the heels 213 a, 213 b are brought intoengagement with the outer pipe surface and the buttresses 214 a, 214 bare deflected toward the pipe. In FIG. 15 , the fastener 20 is fullytightened to bring the fastener tabs 16 of the clamp segments 12 a, 12 btogether and enclose the gasket 200 about the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b suchthat the sealing lips 208 a, 208 b fully fold to form a fluid tight sealabout the pipe ends 5 a, 5 b. The pipe engagement members 17 are engagedwithin the outer pipe grooves, such as with complete contact between thebase of the groove and the engagement member 17 to form a rigid pipejoint. Furthermore, the pre-assembled coupling 10 provides a method forforming a rigid pipe joint in which a gasket is suitably located andcontained within the coupling housing by manual manipulation of theclamp segments of the housing prior to insertion of the pipe ends to bejoined. The pre-assembled coupling can provide that the pipe ends uponinsertion are gripped and retained by the gasket prior to tightening ofthe single clenchable fastener. Moreover, the pre-assembled coupling canprovide for expansion of the gasket upon pipe insertion and can utilizea single clenchable fastener to form a fluid tight seal between thegasket and the inserted pipe ends.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any termsdescribed using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, andall of the described terms. References to at least one of a conjunctivelist of terms may be construed as an inclusive OR to indicate any of asingle, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, areference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunctionwith “comprising” or other open terminology can include additionalitems.

While the present disclosure has been disclosed with reference tocertain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes tothe described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limitedto the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined bythe language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe coupling, comprising: a gasket,comprising: an annular base disposed about a gasket axis; and a flangeextending from the annular base toward the gasket axis; and a housingaround the gasket, the housing having three segments, a first segment ofthe three segments including a first mount defining a first perimeter ofa first aperture, and a second mount defining a second perimeter of asecond aperture, the first mount and the second mount radially apartfrom one another, at opposite ends of the first segment, relative to thegasket axis in a plane perpendicular to the gasket axis; a secondsegment of the three segments including a first hook disposed in thefirst aperture and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture; athird segment of the three segments including a second hook disposed inthe second aperture and a second tab defining a second fasteneraperture; and a fastener disposed through the first fastener apertureand the second fastener aperture.
 2. The pipe coupling of claim 1,comprising: the three segments are sequentially coupled to each other todefine an insertion boundary.
 3. The pipe coupling of claim 1,comprising: each segment having a wall with an exterior surface andinterior surface, the interior surface being disposed symmetricallyabout a medial plane, the wall having a medial portion, a first lateralportion connected to the medial portion, and a second lateral portionconnected to the medial portion, the second lateral portion being spacedfrom the first lateral portion along the coupling axis so that theinterior surface defines a cavity, the first and second lateral portionshaving pipe engagement members.
 4. The pipe coupling of claim 1,comprising: the fastener includes a first securement portion spaced froma second securement portion, the first tab of the first clamp segment tocontact the first securement portion, the second tab of the second clampsegment to contact the second securement portion, the cavity of thebridge segment being spaced from the annular surface of the gasket, atleast one of the cavity of the first clamp segment and the cavity of thesecond clamp segment containing the annular surface of the gasket tolocate the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip within theinsertion boundary.
 5. The pipe coupling of claim 1, comprising: thefirst segment is a bridge segment; the second segment is a first clampsegment; and the third segment is a second clamp segment.
 6. The pipecoupling of claim 1, comprising: the first segment includes a cavitytraversing about 90 degrees; and the second segment and the thirdsegment each include a cavity traversing about 135 degrees.
 7. The pipecoupling of claim 1, comprising: the fastener is a unitary fastener andto connect with a fastener tab of the second segment and a fastener tabof the third segment.
 8. The pipe coupling of claim 1, comprising: thegasket comprises a plurality of flanges including the flange, eachflange of the plurality of flange extending from the annular basetowards the gasket axis.
 9. The pipe coupling of claim 1, comprising:the flange is a first flange, the gasket comprising a second flangeextending from the annular base towards the gasket axis and a thirdflange extending from the annular base towards the gasket axis, thesecond flange and the third flange to receive respective ends of each ofa pair of pipes prior to tightening of the fastener.
 10. The pipecoupling of claim 1, comprising: at least one segment is suspended aboutthe gasket so that a compression chamber is defined between an exteriorof the annular base of the gasket and an interior surface of the atleast one segment.
 11. A pipe coupling, comprising: a bridge segmentcomprising a first mount and a second mount, the first mount having afirst aperture, the second mount having a second aperture; a first clampsegment comprising a first hook coupled with the first aperture and afirst tab; a second clamp segment comprising a second hook coupled withthe second aperture and second tab; a fastener to connect with the firsttab and the second tab; and a gasket received by the bridge segment, thefirst clamp segment, and the second clamp segment, the gasket comprisingan annular base disposed about a gasket axis and a flange extending fromthe annular base toward the gasket axis, the first mount and the secondmount radially apart from one another, at opposite ends of the bridgesegment, relative to the gasket axis in a plane perpendicular to thegasket axis.
 12. The pipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: the firstclamp segment, the second clamp segment, and the bridge segment aresequentially coupled with each other to define an insertion boundary.13. The pipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: each segment has a wallwith an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surfacebeing disposed symmetrically about a medial plane, the wall having amedial portion, a first lateral portion connected to the medial portion,and a second lateral portion connected to the medial portion, the secondlateral portion being spaced from the first lateral portion along thecoupling axis so that the interior surface defines a cavity, the firstand second lateral portions having pipe engagement members.
 14. The pipecoupling of claim 11, comprising: the fastener includes a firstsecurement portion spaced from a second securement portion, the firsttab of the first clamp segment to contact the first securement portion,the second tab of the second clamp segment to contact the secondsecurement portion, the cavity of the bridge segment being spaced fromthe annular surface of the gasket, at least one of the cavity of thefirst clamp segment and the cavity of the second clamp segmentcontaining the annular surface of the gasket to locate the first sealinglip and the second sealing lip within the insertion boundary.
 15. Thepipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: the bridge segment, the firstclamp segment, and the second clamp segment are arcuate.
 16. The pipecoupling of claim 11, comprising: the bridge segment includes a cavitytraversing about 90 degrees; and the first clamp segment and the secondclamp segment each include a cavity traversing about 135 degrees. 17.The pipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: the fastener is a unitarymember.
 18. The pipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: the gasketcomprises a plurality of flanges including the flange, each flange ofthe plurality of flange extending from the annular base towards thegasket axis.
 19. The pipe coupling of claim 11, comprising: the flangeis a first flange, the gasket comprising a second flange extending fromthe annular base towards the gasket axis and a third flange extendingfrom the annular base towards the gasket axis, the second flange and thethird flange to receive respective ends of each of a pair of pipes priorto tightening of the fastener.
 20. The pipe coupling of claim 11,comprising: at least one segment of the bridge segment, the first clampsegment, and the second clamp segment is sized to be suspended about thegasket so that a compression chamber is defined between an exterior ofthe annular base of the gasket and an interior surface of the at leastone segment.